President-elect Donald Trump has announced that, once he takes office in January 2025, he will direct the Department of Justice to strongly pursue the death penalty, especially for violent criminals like rapists, murderers, and terrorists.
This comes after President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates, changing the course of federal punishment. Trump’s announcement highlights his firm stance on the death penalty, which he supports as a way to protect American families and reduce violent crime.
The Context of Trump’s Announcement
Trump’s remarks about the death penalty come after Biden’s decision to reduce the sentences of 37 people facing the federal death penalty to life in prison. Trump disagrees with Biden’s move, calling it illogical, especially since the number of federal death row inmates has dropped significantly.
As of January 2025, only three federal death row inmates will remain. These cases are linked to mass shootings and terrorist attacks, including Robert Bowers (Pittsburgh synagogue shooting), Dylann Roof (Charleston church shooting), and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bombing).
Trump’s Tough-on-Crime Policy
Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to take a strong stance against crime, including calling for the death penalty for violent offenders. He has argued that tougher measures are necessary to stop crime, especially mass shootings, human trafficking, and drug-related offenses.
His proposed policies included seeking the death penalty for drug dealers and even migrants who kill American citizens or law enforcement officers. His firm commitment to the death penalty is part of his larger focus on reducing crime in the United States.
Biden’s Clemency: Mixed Reactions
Biden’s decision to commute the sentences sparked different reactions. While some families of victims were relieved by the reduced sentences, others were upset. For instance, the widow of Bryan Hurst, a police officer murdered in 2005, criticized the commutation of Daryl Lawrence, the man who killed her husband. She expressed disappointment, arguing that Lawrence should face the full consequences for his actions.
Trump’s Record on the Death Penalty
Before Trump’s presidency, the U.S. rarely carried out federal executions. Only three executions had occurred since 1988. However, during Trump’s time in office, federal executions increased significantly. In 2020, the federal government carried out ten executions, the highest number in decades. This reflected Trump’s administration’s hardline approach to crime and punishment.
Will Biden’s Clemency Be Reversed?
While Trump has made clear his intent to revive the pursuit of the death penalty, he will not be able to reverse Biden’s clemency decisions. However, Trump’s Justice Department may resume seeking the death penalty in future cases, especially as it aligns with his broader crime control policies. His tough-on-crime rhetoric will likely continue to influence how the federal government handles criminal justice moving forward.
Trump’s push for the death penalty and Biden’s decision to commute sentences reflect differing views on justice and punishment in the U.S. While Trump aims to restore stricter laws to combat violent crime, Biden’s commutations suggest a shift towards more leniency. This debate will continue to shape U.S. criminal justice policies in the years to come.
